Where to find a company's tax ID in three steps

A company's tax ID number — officially called an Employer Identification Number (EIN) — is a nine-digit code the IRS assigns to businesses. You can find it on the company's website, in business filings, or by searching the IRS database directly.

The fastest route depends on what you need it for. If you're looking up a vendor or contractor before doing business with them, the company's website or a D&B (Dun & Bradstreet) search usually works. If you need it for tax purposes or legal documents, the IRS EIN lookup tool or the company's official filings are more reliable.

The number itself is public information — the IRS publishes it in business registrations and tax documents. You do not need permission from the company to look it up.

Key Takeaways

  • An EIN is a nine-digit number formatted as XX-XXXXXXX, and it is public information you can find without the company's permission.
  • The IRS EIN lookup tool at irs.gov is free and returns results when ready if the business is registered.
  • A company's website, annual reports, and SEC filings (for public companies) often list the EIN directly.
  • Dun & Bradstreet and state business registration databases are alternatives if the IRS lookup does not return a result.

Using the IRS EIN lookup tool

The IRS maintains a free online search at irs.gov/ein-lookup. Enter the company name and state where it is registered. The tool returns the EIN when ready if the business is on file with the IRS.

This method works best for established companies that have filed tax returns or registered for employment tax purposes. Sole proprietors and very new businesses may not appear yet. The search is case-insensitive and tolerates minor spelling variations, so you do not need the exact legal name.

If the search returns no result, the company may not be registered with the IRS, may operate under a different legal name than you searched, or may be too new to appear in the database yet. Try searching under alternate names — for example, a company doing business as (DBA) a different name will be registered under its legal entity name.

Checking the company's own documents

Many companies list their EIN on their website, usually in the footer, in a "Contact Us" page, or in a "Company Information" section. Public companies are required to file it with the SEC, so you can find it in their 10-K annual report or other SEC filings on sec.gov.

If the company has sent you invoices, contracts, or W-9 forms, the EIN appears on those documents. A W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) is especially useful because it is a standardized form that always includes the EIN in the same location.

For nonprofits, the EIN is public record and appears on the organization's Form 990 (annual tax return), which you can search on guidestar.org or the IRS website.

State business registration databases

Each state maintains a business registration database, usually run by the Secretary of State's office. You can search by company name and find the EIN listed in the registration record. These databases are free and open to the public.

Start by going to your state's Secretary of State website and looking for a "Business Search" or "Entity Search" tool. The exact name and location of the search varies by state. Some states also list the registered agent and business address, which can help confirm you have found the right company if the name is common.

State databases are especially useful if the IRS lookup returns no result, because a company may be registered at the state level before it registers with the IRS, or it may have a state tax ID separate from its federal EIN.

Using Dun & Bradstreet and credit databases

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) maintains a business database that includes EINs. You can search for free at dnb.com, though some detailed reports require a paid subscription. The search returns the company's D-U-N-S number (a separate identifier) along with the EIN if it is on file.

Other business credit databases like Experian and Equifax also maintain EIN records. These are most useful if you are vetting a vendor or contractor and want to see the company's credit history alongside its tax ID.

These third-party databases pull from public records and IRS filings, so they are reliable but sometimes lag behind real-time updates. If you need the most current information, the IRS lookup tool is faster.

What to do if you cannot find the EIN

If none of these methods return a result, the company may not have an EIN. Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs that have no employees and no business tax obligations do not need an EIN — they use their Social Security number instead. In that case, you can ask the owner directly for their tax ID.

If the company is very new, it may not have registered with the IRS yet. Ask the company directly for the EIN, or ask for a completed W-9 form, which includes the tax ID and is a standard business document.

If you are trying to verify that a company is legitimate before doing business with it, the absence of an EIN is a red flag. Legitimate businesses that hire employees or operate as corporations, partnerships, or LLCs will have one. A company that refuses to provide it or claims not to have one may not be registered properly.

Understanding the EIN format and what it tells you

An EIN is always nine digits, formatted as XX-XXXXXXX. The first two digits indicate the state where the business was formed or registered. For example, EINs beginning with 01 to 02 are from New Hampshire; 03 to 04 are from Maine. This can help you verify that a company claiming to be based in a particular state actually registered there.

The EIN itself does not tell you whether a company is in good standing, whether it has paid its taxes, or whether it is currently operating. It is straightforward an identifier. To verify a company's tax compliance or current status, you would need to contact the IRS directly or check state tax records, which are not always public.

Do not confuse an EIN with a state tax ID number. Many states issue their own business tax identification numbers separate from the federal EIN. If you need a company's state tax ID, search the state revenue or tax department website instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a company's EIN the same as its state tax ID?

No. An EIN is a federal identifier issued by the IRS. Most states also issue their own business tax ID numbers, which are different. Some companies have both. If you need a state tax ID, search your state's revenue or tax department website.

Can I find a company's EIN if it is a sole proprietor?

Sole proprietors do not have an EIN unless they hire employees or choose to register one. They use their Social Security number as their tax ID instead. If you need the tax ID for a sole proprietor, ask the owner directly for their Social Security number or EIN, whichever they use.

What if the IRS lookup tool says the company does not exist?

The company may be too new to appear in the IRS database, may be registered under a different legal name, or may not have an EIN. Try searching under alternate names, check the state business database, or ask the company directly for the EIN.

Do I need the company's permission to look up its EIN?

No. An EIN is public information. You can search for it without the company's knowledge or consent using the IRS lookup tool, state databases, or other public records.

Why would I need a company's EIN?

You may need it to verify a vendor before hiring them, to report payments on your own taxes, to complete a W-9 form, or to check business registration records. Lenders and business partners often request it as part of due diligence.